Endorsements on big planes???
I once recieved a job application from a man who had a Boeing 737 endorsement. He told me he had "purchased" 300 hours of 737 time from an asian airline, but was rejected after he completed it.
I needed someone to fly light piston engined aircraft.
The colonel could be the victim of spin from a slick flying school, or it could be a windup.
I've seen ex military helicopter pilots who expected the airlines to all come begging them to fly for them.
Realism is not common in aviation.